Comparing Presentations and Arguments

Understanding Perspective In Rhetoric

CRM 2.2

Multiple Choice

In the Malala and Clinton lessons we examined rhetoric. To revise rhetoric, watch the following video. Select the definition of rhetoric below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3klMM9BkW5o

• Theme, tone and background of a text.

• The art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing.

• Language used by politicians.

• To provide support for another's perspective.

Multiple Select

Now that we have revised rhetoric, reflect on the last informational text we did (March on Washington). Identify what role, if any, point of view plays in rhetoric. Select all that may apply.

• Point of view has nothing to do with rhetoric.

• Point of view or perspective is the angle from which you view the world. As such, your views or opinion will be reflected in your rhetoric.

• Point of view only has to do with whether the text is written using 1st, 2nd or 3rd person pronouns.

• Since rhetoric is the art of persuasive speaking or writing, it will be persuading or convincing audiences about your views or perspective/point of view.

• Point of view/perspective is influenced by our background and culture.

Recall

In CRM 2.1 we covered the same standards however we read literary texts. Remember literary texts are the creative texts that we read for pleasure or fun. We analyzed the point of view and cultural experience reflected in the poem Legal Alien by Pat Mora and the Self-Portrait On the Borderline Between Mexico and the United States by Frida Kahlo (RI 2.6). Then we compared how the poem and painting treated the subject of conflict and the theme of identity. In this unit, we will do the same thing but using informational texts instead.

Understanding Perspective In Rhetoric - Learning Goal:

• To determine an author's point of view or perspective and analyze how this influences his rhetoric. (RI 2.6)

How Perception Influences Rhetoric

We know that rhetoric is the the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing. Normally your rhetoric is meant to persuade people of your point of view or perception. And your point of view or perception is based on your background or culture.

How Perception Influences Rhetoric (continued)

Your rhetoric will be based on your background and culture. The majority of the texts that you have read since the beginning of the semester are within your own culture. Last week we began looking at perspectives/ points of view which are from a different culture, as seen in the poem Legal Alien. This lesson today will begin to examine perspectives/points of view from other cultures and how those cultural experiences influenced the rhetoric of the authors.

How Perception Influences Rhetoric (continued)

For this unit. 2.2, we will compare presentations and arguments. To do that, we have to understand the perspective and culture/background of the authors or artists and the presentations (paintings) and Arguments (texts) we will analyze. Though we will compare two texts this week and multiple standards, we are going to start off by analyzing just one text and one standard (2.6): Letter to Viceroy, Lord Irwin. This text which is a letter written by Mohandas K. Gandhi (Mahatma Gandhi) to Lord Irwin ( Viceroy or Governor General). Before we start reading the text, you will watch a mini biography on Gandhi. By understanding his background, you will be better able to analyze the perspective in his rhetoric.

Biography and Background of Mahatma Gandhi

Watch the following video on Gandhi to learn more about his background/culture and how it shaped his perspective.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ept8hwPQQNg&has_verified=1

Multiple Select

Select all the following statements about Gandhi which are correct.

• He was one of the people who spearheaded the Indian drive for independence from British rule.

• His actions inspired leaders of the American civil rights movement such as Martin Luther King Jr., to follow his example.

• On April 6th, 1930, Gandhi broke the law by picking up handfuls of salt.

First Read of Letter to Viceroy, Lord Irwin

Working on your own, open the text Letter to Viceroy, Lord Irwin (it is located in Canvas and also in the BBB shared notes). Save a copy for yourself so that you can annotate. While you read, highlight important words or phrases that help to build meaning of the subject or topic. Use 5 minutes only for this activity. I will signal when time is up.

Open Ended

Based on your annotations:

1.What do you see as the central topic or subject?

2.Is Gandhi writing as someone who has experienced the injustices mentioned in the letter?

Group Task - SOAPSTone Graphic Organizer

Open the- SOAPSTone Graphic Organizer found on Canvas and also in the shared noted on BBB. DO NOT make a copy. The entire class will work on the same shared document. You will work in your groups to complete your assigned chunk of the text. To communicate with each other, you should go to your BBB breakout room. I will not place you in a breakout room. You will need to join the breakout room with the number corresponding to your group. The names of your group members are already on the google document.

Open Ended

In a short paragraph, discuss how learning about Gandhi's background helped you to understand his perspective. How does this make his rhetoric more effective? (Consider ethos, pathos and logos as revised in the bell work).